eavesdrop (on)

as in to listen in (on)
to listen to (another in private conversation) a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eavesdrop (on)
Verb
  • Strufe adds that while intelligence agencies or cybercriminals have simpler ways to monitor people – such as accessing CCTV cameras or video doorbells – the widespread presence of wireless networks could eventually form a near-comprehensive surveillance infrastructure.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The Chicago Cubs, the team that drafted Schwarber, are one team in particular to monitor as negotiations unfold.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in November regarding presidential authority to impose tariffs under emergency powers, while removal cases involving FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook await resolution.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Other signs of a wasp infestation include finding dead wasps in your home or hearing buzzing indoors.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The relative then spied a dead dog on an interstate nearby, and assumed the canine was Randy since both dogs had the same shading.
    TJ Macias, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Depending on your age and foreign language ability, fulfilling your James Bond spy fantasies may not be very realistic—but spying for the British government just got more accessible.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lo overhears a scuffle in the cabin next door and a distinct splash in the freezing ocean waters.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The celebratory July 4 meal would certainly have kept the innkeeper, Daniel Smith, busy replenishing the finest bottles of Madeira from behind the locked bar—perhaps overhearing snippets of chatter among the delegates.
    Victoria Flexner, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eavesdrop%20%28on%29. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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